Fuse-cartridge.



FUSE CARTRIDGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1an. RENEwSn APR.29.1918.

1,268,807. ,Patented J une 4, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESSES:

www ,54M

INVENTOR ATTORN EYs F. A. FELDKAVIP.

FUSE CARTRIDGE.

APPLICATION FILED 1111111.31. 1917. RENEWED APR.29.1918.

1,268,807. Patented Jun@ 4, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

FREDERICK A. EELDKAMP, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

l FUSE-CARTRIDGE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented June 4, 1918.

Applictign Med Hatch 31, 1917, Serial No. 158,809. Renewed April 29, 1918. Serial No. 231,570.

To all whom ip may concern Be it known that 1 FREDERICK A. Iii-:LD-

KAMP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in vthe county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in F use7Car-.

make and use the same, reference being had4 to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of referencey marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates, generally, to improvements in fuse cartridges; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to an improved construction of multiple fuse cartridge.

The present invention has for its principal object to provide improvements in and simplification of the construction of multiple fuse cartridges of the general type shown and described in a previous application for Letters-Patent filed by me on November 6th, 1916, Serial Number 129,645/15, now patent No. 1,254,490, Jan. 22, 1918.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means whereby when one of the several fuse elements is connected in circuit with the end or terminal caps, the contact receiving devices of the remaining fuse elements are properly and completely insu'- lated. against short-circuiting with 4each other, or against the current jumping to the movable terminal cap or Contact closing devices. v

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

v With'the various objects of this invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the vnovel constructlon 'of multlple fuse car' tridge hereinafter set forth; and, furthermore, the invention consists in the novel arrangements and combinations of the various parts, as well as in the details of the construction thereof, all of which will be hereyterior surface of said casingr 1.

shown in elevation; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 3-3 in said Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 in said Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is' a cross section taken on line 5 5 in said Fig.\2; Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on line 6-6 in said F'g. 2; all of said sections being viewed in -the direction of the arrow w.

VF 1g. 7 is a cross section taken on line 7--8 in said Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow w; and Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on line 7-8 in said Fig. l2, lookin' in the.` direction of the arrow y.

. f `ig. 9 is a transverse longitudinal section taken on line 9-9 in said Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrow a. v

Fig.` 10l is a fragmentary longitudinal cross section `of 'a slightly modified construction'ofl my novel .multiple fuse cartridge; and Fig. .11 is a cross section thereof taken on line 11--11 in said Fig. 10 looking in the direction of the arroy a.

Fig. 12 is a. longitudinal cross section of another modified construction ofmy novel multiple fuse cartridge; and Fig. 13 is a cross section thereof-taken on line 13-13 in said Fig. 12. y

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the'hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to said d rawlngs,l the ref- ...erence character 1 indicates a tubular casing constructed of some suitable insulating material: One end of saidv tubular casing is closed by a fixed metallic terminal cap 2, which telescopes over the exterior surface of said casing 1, and which is' immovably fixed insuch relation, as by means of an inwardly turned marginal bead or flange 3 which is engaged in an annular groove 4 provided in said exterior surface ofA said casing 1. Thel opposite end of said casing 1 is closed byl a movable terminal cap 5` which telescopes over the exterior surface of said-casing 1,A and `which is so connected therewith as to be capable of both a longitudinal movement land arotary movement relative thereto. The means for so securing the movable terminal cap 5 comprises lan inwardly turned annular shoulder or rim 6,

terminal cap 5 which 1s engaged in an annular cutaway portion 7 ,f formed in the ex? The. provision of this cutaway portion 7 serves also formed at the inner marginal edge of said Y stop-portion 8 at the end of said casing` The reference character 9 indicates a plug f v or ycontact pincarrier which is made of some suitable insulating or non-conduct1ng material. 1o

' minalcap 5.- y or'earrier 9 is permitted to project slightly or contact pin carrier is disposed withln t e casing 1 by inserting the same within that end of the latter upon which is arran ed said movable metallic terhe outer end 10 of said plug This pini beyond the en of. said casing 1, thus pro viding an annular space 11 between said end 10 and the sides of said movableterminal ea' 5; the purpose ofsaid space 11 will be subsequently defined. Said plug or carrier is immovably xed, in therelation to said casing 1, as above'describ'ed, by meansv of transverse fastening' ins 12, which are driven through the si es of said casing 1, and thence into the vody of vsaid plug or carrier. v Y

Preferably, the interior sides of Said casing .1 are 'provided with longitudinally directeu channels or grooves 13, spaced e uidista'nt one fromvanother. The inneren of said plug or carrier 9 is provided with transversel grooves 14, preferably providing an X-shape, the outer ends of which register or `aline themselves with said channels or grooves 13. y l

.The reference character 15 indicates a partition member, whichis rpreferably X-shape in cross section, i the same being made of tome suitable insulating or non-conducting Imterial.v The outer marginal edges ofl saidpartition member, thus formed, are received in said channels or grooves 13, and the inner endv of the same .projects nor dovetails into A said X-shapedgrooves 14 in. the said plug or carrier 9,; thereby holding said partition' member imxnovably related to the easing 1, and arranged' to diyide the interiorv of the latter into a plurality of separate longitndi-v nally extending fuse chambers or compartements 16, the inner ends of which are-closed Kby Said. plug `or carrier 9, against which the inner end of said partition member abuts.

The opposite or outerl end ofthe .partition member 15 terminates, preferably, some dlsvtanceshortof the end wall ot' said fixed terminal cap 2, and said end ls cul away at ythe converging point vof its branches to provide a receiving seat 17, the purpose of which will presently appear.

The ,reference `characler 1S indicates a plurality of contact-pins. Said conlact-pins 18 are passed longitudinally through said lng or carrier l), and embedded therein, be#

mg thus insulated one from another. vAs

. thus disposed said contactpins` parallel each ois other through the respective quarters of said tudinally plug or carrier,

fuse-chambers or compartments 16. The outer end of said vided with a plura ity of countersunk cham- `rs or openings 20 into -which the outer ends or male contact members 21 'of said re' spective contact-pins 18 project so as to be centrally and longitudinally disposed within said respective chambers or openings l 20. Said outer ends of said contactcross cuts or splits 22 for after explained.

Seated within the receiving-seat 17, at the outer end of said partition member 15, is the spreader-head .2B-of a contactpost 24, the end of which is riveted, or otherwise secured, both mechanically and electrically, to the end wall of said fixed terminal cap 2.

The reference-character 25 indicates' a ins 18 are provided with purposes hereinplurality of fuse-elements or wires. One

end of .each fuse-element or wire ,is secured to an inner end 19 of said contact-pins 18,

e preferably by inserting and soldering the same Wit in a'longitudinally and inwardly extending bore formed in each inner end 19 of said respective contact-pins 18, and then the .fuse-element' or wire is -carried longithroi'lgh a fuse-chamber or compartment 16, passed over said sprcznler-head 23, and then secured to saideontact-post 24 orming an 'embracing convolution '26 about the latter, or

wires, may -be secured to said contacbpost 2l .in any other suitable manner deemed desirable. lfVhen the convolutions 26 are einploycd, however, the lixity of the connection of said fuse-elements or wires may be assured by washing said convolutions with solder. In this manner, it will be apparent,

u and so that their'inner ends 19 project respectively into the respective or male contact members 21 lug or carrier 9 is prosaid fuse-element or -that each fuse-element or wire is separately. 1- 1 and individually incloscd within its' own trical connection with said lixed terminal cap 2. v v The means for conncetnw said )ln'ralit 7-` c ol fuse-elements or wires, individually. successlvely or selectively m' an eleclrlc circuit to be. served thereby. comprises a tubular vlongitudinally toward said plugr or carrier 9 and the contact-pins 18 carried thereby.

Secured agamstthc inner side of said end wall ot' said movable, terminal cap 5 is an insulating cover or shirld-piece 2S), the same being cutaway, asv at 30, so that ill may straddle the body ol said inwardly projecting female contact member 27. Said insulating cover' or shield-piece 29, is secured in place and in operative fixed association with said movable terminal cap 5 by means of 1nlwardly pressed tongues, lugs or holding ears 31, which are forced out of the body of the side walls of said movable terminal cap so as to engage the marginal edges of said cover or shield-piece 29, and thus hold the same in normal operative position against the inner side of the end wall of said movable terminal cap 5. Said female contact member 27 is selectively caused to electrically engage and contact with the bifurcated male contact member 21 of one of said contact-pins 18 by entering a chamber or opening 20 in which the male contact-member 21 is situfated so as to telescope overthe same and receive it within the receiving opening 28 thereof, when said movable terminal cap 5 is moved inwardly to its normal operative relation to said casin 1; the cross cuts or 'splits 22 of said ma e contact member 21 rendering the vbifurcated portions thereof slightly yieldable so as to assure, by the cmpression 'of said parts within the o enin 28, a good electrical contact therewit l hen .the movable terminal cap 5 isl thus moved vinwardly and thereupon electrically connected with one of the fuse elements 25, said insulating cover or shield-piece 29 extends over and closes all the remaining chambers or openings 20 in which the other male contact members 21 are situated, thus entirely segregating the latter, and thus assuring their complete electrical insulation against any likelihood of short circuiting with other parts and against any llikelihood of the current umping to the'terminal cap 5 from said vmale contact members 21 not desired in circuit- When said movable terminal cap 5 is thus moved inwardly to operative position,

the said tongues, lugs or holding ears 31,

which retain said cover or shield-piece 29 are received in the annular space 11 between the projecting end 10 of said plug or carrier 9 and the walls of said ternnnal cap 5.

The said casing 1 may be provided on its exterior surface, adjacent to said movable terminal cap 5, with suitable graduations ,or indicating marks 32 denoting the position ofy said respective fuse-elements 25 and their male contact members 21, and in like manner, the exterior surface of said movable terminal cap 5 may be provided with a suitable indicating mark 33 denoting the osition of said female contact-member 2i), so that byselectively registering the mark 33 with one of the marks 32, the female contactsmember 27 may be brought into electrical contact with a desired male contact member 21, by drawingy out, turning and pushing back said movableterminal cap 5, and the fuse element 25 connected with the latter is thus electrically connected with said mov-y able terminal cap 5.

When one of the fuse-elements or wires 25 tridge may be connected in the electric cir-` cuit to be served by inserting the respective terminal caps 2 and 5 between the usual spring-like receiving clips connected in aid circuit in the well known manner, So ut the current asses from the fixed terminal cap 2 throng i the fuse-element or wire and thence back to the line through said movable terminal cap' 5, or vice versa.

It will be understood that each fuse chamber or compartment 16, as well as the space surrounding the contact-post 24, is adapted to be filled with the usual filler powder, or similar material, sucht. as is commonly used in fuse cartrid esl to absorb the vapors generated by the urning ofthe fuse element or wire, although in order not to interfere with the clear illustration of the mechanical construction of my invention, phic illustration vof such powder has gzn omitted from the drawings.

Referrin drawings, have illustrated a slightly modimodification lying in the structure of the plug or carrier 9 and its relation to the casing l and movable terminal cap 5. In this construction the main portion of the plu or carrier 9 is enlarged 1n diameter to equa the diameter of the casing 1, and the inner end 34`thereof is of reduced diameter so as to telescope into the end of the casing 1 and then secured by the pins 35. The annular cut-away portion 7 and stop portion 8 is formed in the outer. surface of the plug or carrier 9, and the rim 6 of the cap 5 assonow to Figs. 10 and 114 of thel 1oo I ciated therewith, in all other respects this structure is sinnlar to that'alread above described, and the operation thereo is substantially the same. 1

Referring now to Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings, I have illustrated still another' modified construction of my invention, comprising a main body or casing 3 6 to one end of which a fixed terminal cap 37 is secured.

Formed in said main body are a plurality ments or chambers 38 are closed by an iu-4 tegrally formed contact carrying portion 41 of said main body or casing 3G, through which contact-pins 42 extend into veach ,chamber or compartment' 38, said fuse elements or wires being secured respectively to said contacbpins 42. The outer end of the casing or main body 36 is provided with the chambers or openings 43 in which the other capableof movement relative to said casing," nii-.plurality of fuse-elements within said casingelectricnll y connected at one end with the fix'ed terminal cap, insulated contact, pins having s lit male contact members at their outer enss to which the opposite ends of said fuse-elements are respectively electrically connected, a female contact member carried -by` said -movable terminal pap adapted upon manipulatiionf the latter to be selectively engaged lwfith a male contact member. i

6. In a multiple fuse cartridge, a casing having e'xtemal 'terminal caps on its o posite ends one of which is a fixed cap an the other capable of movement relative to said easinfr 4as luralit of fuse-elementswithini e P Y said casing electrically connected at one end with the fixed terminal cap, insulated cfmtaet pins having split male conta-et members at their outer ,ends to which the opposite ends of said fuse-elements are respectively electrically connected, a -female contact member carried by -said vmovable. terminal cap adapted upon manipulation of the latter to be selectivel enga with a male contact member, an a shie d of insulating material.

secured within said movable terminal cap Iso l as to ooverand insulate the remaining male contact members when said female contact member is engaged with one malev contact member.

'i'z .In a fusible circuit breaker the combination with the fuse elements thereof of con tactins, a carrier plug of insulatingl materia in which said contact-pinel am embedded, the. outer ends'of said contact-pins havmg split or bifurcated portions forming ded, the outer ends of said contact-pins having, split or bifureated portions forming ing inwardly extending chambers in which -eaid male contact members are respectively inclosed, a movable terminal cap, a-female contact member connected with said movable temnnal cap adapted upon manipulation of the latter to be selectively entered within a chamber and engaged with said.

male contact member located therein, and a `shield of insulating material secured within said movable cap adapted to register over and close the remaining chambers and thus nsula te the remaining male contact members when said female contact'member is engaged -with one male contact member.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth aboveI have hereunto set my han this 29th day of March, 1917.

FREDERICK A. FELDKAMI` llNitnesses:

(leonor: D. RICHARDS, -Fnanx H. Fnann'rznr `male contact members, said carrier plug hav- 

